US consumer confidence climbs to 80.7 in January, highest level since August

WASHINGTON – U.S. consumer confidence has reached its highest point since August on the strength of a brighter view of the job market and business conditions.

The Conference Board, a business research group, says its consumer confidence index rose to 80.7 this month from a December reading of 77.5. It was the second consecutive strong gain.

Conference Board economist Lynn Franco notes that consumers' assessment of economic conditions continues to improve. She says the rising expectations suggest that the economy is poised to pick up momentum in the months ahead.